Development And Management Of Avian Habitat On Dredged Material Islands

Development and Management of Avian Habitat on Dredged Material Islands

Use of Dredged Material Islands by Colonial Seabirds and Wading Birds in New Jersey

The use of dredged material islands by colonial nesting seabirds and wading birds in New Jersey was examined in five major phases. The first located dredged material islands from Manasquan to Cape May Inlets, NJ; the second recorded the past history of all colonial nesting seabirds and wading birds in New Jersey; the third recorded the vegetation patterns and succession on 21 dredged material islands selected for intensive study; the fourth recorded the distribution in 1977 of colonial seabirds and wading birds in the study area and their utilization of dredged material islands; and the fifth documented those factors influencing the use and selection of dredged material islands by birds in 1977. Nineteen management recommendations for dredged material islands are stated, including annual wildlife surveys, careful monitoring of contractor performance, attention to record keeping, preservation of alternative colony sites, rotational use and management of dredged material islands, proportional habitat creation and management, and protection of all islands with bird colonies.

Development and Management of Avian Habitat on Dredged Material Islands. Synthesis of Research Results

Seven regional DMRP studies were conducted throughout Corps of Engineers maintained waterways to determine dredged material island use by nesting waterbirds and the succession of vegetation on these islands as affected by bird use, to compare diked and undiked islands and natural and man-made islands and sites, and to study migratory and year-round use of dredged material islands. These data and pertinent management information are synthesized in this report. Recommendations and guidelines for management of existing dredged material islands and creation of new islands are set forth by the authors. Five major factors determining selection for waterbird colony sites on dredged material islands are set forth: isolation from predators and humans, habitat diversity, nesting substrate stability, species behavioral characteristics, and species feeding and foraging habits. Management for waterbird colonies has been proven feasible and may be accomplished by several important facotrs: (a) incorporation of management plans into routine dredging operations, (b) interagency and intraagency cooperation, and (c) public education and cooperation. It was determined that dredged material islands are often crucial habitat for colonial waterbirds and should be maintained and managed as such. (Author).